Men's Soccer Officially Announces Top-Ranked Recruiting Class

Feb 09, 2009

AKRON, Ohio 

The University of Akron men's soccer program officially
announced its 2009 recruiting class Monday. The highly acclaimed
group, which was ranked as the No. 1 class in the nation by ESPNRise.com, features seven All-Americans and
six players with national team experience.

"Our 2009 class is a collection of the best of the best from across
the country, in the state of Ohio, and overseas," said UA head
coach Caleb Porter. "This blend of players will bring a
tremendous amount of talent and experience into the program. While
these payers were some of the most sought after and highly-rated in
the country, what's most important is they have filled some very
specific needs and also fit the pedigree of student athlete that we
look for."

In all, the Zips' much-hyped class is comprised of two defenders,
four midfielders, two forwards and a pair of goalkeepers.

"These young men are not only outstanding players and should
enhance our options in every position, but they will also help
raise the bar academically, which is in line with our current
culture of excellence on and off the field," Porter said. "Another
unique quality of this class is the majority of them have already
played together on either club or youth national teams. That
built-in chemistry and cohesiveness, as well as having half of the
players already join us in January, should help their transition
for an immediate impact."

Bringing U.S. national team experience to the mix are under-20
stars Ben Speas, a midfielder from Stow, Ohio,
and Zarek Valentin, a defender from
Lancaster, Pa.; and under-18 standouts Chad
Barson, a defender from Columbus, Ohio, Scott
Caldwell, a midfielder from Boston, Mass., and
David Meves, a goalkeeper from Arlington Heights,
Ill.

Forward Yoram Mwila, who hails from Lusaka,
Zambia, was the captain of the U-17 Zambian national team and is a
current member of the U-20 squad.

Also signing on to play for the Zips next fall are a pair of
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) High School
Boys All-Americans Matt Mason, a forward from
Akron, and Eric Stevenson, a midfielder from
Columbus.

Two more in-state products Brandon
Silva, a midfielder from Columbus, and Anthony
Ponikvar, a goalkeeper from Brecksville, Ohio, round
out the talented group. Silva is a member of the Academy National
Finals U-18 Columbus Crew Academy team while Ponikvar, a redshirt
freshman transfer from Cornell, was a Division I All-Ohio second
team selection in 2008.

"I am excited to welcome this group into the Akron soccer family
and look forward to helping all of them in their achievement of
individual and collective success'" Porter said.

Porter, the 2008 NCAA All-Ohio Coach of the Year, and his staff
have now put together three, top-five recruiting classes in as many
years since arriving on campus, following No. 5 designations in
each of the previous two seasons.

"I would like to give special credit to assistant coaches Dave
Giffard and Jared Embick for their dedication and tireless
work behind the scenes in helping with the recruitment of these
elite prospects," Porter said. "Without their efforts and the work
of our support staff as well as key people in the University and
Athletics Department, this class would not have been possible."

Speas, who is the eighth-ranked prospect in the nation according to
ESPN Rise.com, also competed on the U.S. national U-18 and U-17
teams. He is a two-time Parade All-American ('07, '08), an NSCAA
High School Boys All-American in 2008 and an adidas ESP All-Star in
2007. Speas is also a member of the Academy National Finals U-18
Columbus Crew Academy team.

Valentin brings the experience of having played on four U.S.
national teams (U-20, U-18, U-17 and U-15) and is also a 2008 NSCAA
High School Boys All-American. Valentin, who was ranked the
53rd-best high school prospect by Top Drawer Soccer, was also a
three-time NSCAA Youth All-American ('06, '07, '08), and an ESPN
Rise All-America first team honoree.

Barson is another standout who has starred on multiple U.S.
national teams (U-18, U-17, U-15) and is the 10th-best prospect in
the nation according Top Drawer Soccer. He is a 2008 Parade
All-American, a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American and a 2008
all-state second team honoree for Division I.

Meves also competed on the U-17 U.S. national team and is a
two-time Parade All-American ('07, '08) and three-time NSCAA Youth
All-American ('06, '07, '08). Meves, who is the 55th-ranked
prospect in the nation according to Top Drawer Soccer, was an
adidas ESP participant.

Furthermore, Speas, Valentin, Barson and Meves all competed in the
Developmental Academy League, sponsored by U.S. Soccer.

Caldwell is another U.S. national team veteran, having also played
with the U-18, U-17 and U-15 squads. Caldwell, who is the
ninth-ranked prospect by Top Drawer Soccer, is a 2008 Parade
All-American and three-time NSCAA Youth All-American ('06, '07,
'08).

Mason is an ESPN Rise All-America second team selection, a 2008
All-Ohio first team honoree and the Ohio Player of the Year for
Division II. Stevenson, who is the 27th-ranked prospect by Top
Drawer Soccer, was a Division III, All-Ohio first team honoree in
2007 and a member of the U-18 Columbus Crew Academy team.

The Zips, who will return eight of 11 starters from a
record-setting campaign in 2008, will kick off their seven-game
spring exhibition schedule  highlighted by a contest against
Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew at Lee Jackson Field on Apr. 26
 next month. In addition to the exciting home event, Akron's
challenging schedule features road games against four top-25
programs, including Michigan, Wake Forest, North Carolina and
Indiana.